New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 425 Claire CEO of Harris Hotel

The morning sun streamed through the massive glass windows of the Las Vegas office Claire was temporarily stuck in. She didn't even try to hide her irritation as she glared at the tablet in her hand. Her perfectly planned day, packed with robotics meetings and design sessions for her company's sci-fi-themed project, had been hijacked. Why? Because Alexander, in all his wisdom, had dumped his hotel-related responsibilities on her while he schmoozed an investor.

"This was not part of the deal," Claire grumbled to herself, swiping through the endless designs on the tablet. She had already sent Alexander about ten passive-aggressive texts, but he hadn't bothered to reply. The sound of her phone vibrating broke her muttering. She picked it up to see his name flashing on the screen.

"Finally," she snapped as she answered. "Alexander, care to explain why I'm suddenly managing your hotel project? I don't recall signing up for this."

His smooth, relaxed voice came through the line, sounding completely unbothered. "Claire, you're a CEO. Surely, you know how these things work."

Claire blinked at the audacity, her grip tightening on the phone. "I'm a CEO of Metacortex, not your personal assistant. I don't know the first thing about running a hotel."

Alexander chuckled, which only made her angrier. "You're doing fine. All you need to do is keep an eye on things and make sure the designs match what the interior designer promised. Just check the tablet. Easy."

"Easy?" Claire shot back. "Alexander, I have robots to build and deadlines to meet. This isn't my-"

"Look, I'm handling the investor," Alexander cut her off, his tone shifting to one of pleading seriousness. "I really need this deal to go through. Just... help me out, okay? I trust you." Claire opened her mouth to retort but stopped herself. His tone, annoyingly earnest, left her no room to argue. She let out a dramatic sigh instead. "Fine. But you owe me, big time." "Thanks, Claire. You're the best," Alexander said, his relief palpable before he hung up.

Claire stared at her phone in disbelief. "The best? More like the busiest," she muttered, rolling her eyes. With no other choice, she turned back to the tablet.

The next few hours were a blur of meetings, emails, and half-hearted nods as designers explained their visions for the hotel's sci-fi-themed interiors. Claire couldn't care less about the placement of glowing wall panels or the "immersive alien ambiance" in the lobby. One designer, a man in thick-rimmed glasses and a dramatic scarf, waved his arms around as he spoke. "This chandelier, shaped like a UFO, represents the convergence of human curiosity and the cosmos! It's the pièce de résistance of the lobby." Claire tilted her head, unimpressed. "Does it light up?"

The man blinked, thrown off by the blunt question. "Well, yes, but-"

on anyone, you're good," she interrupted, gesturing for him to move

office, rubbing her temples. The tablet beeped with yet another notification

see a message from Matthew: How's Vegas? Alien invasions

typed back: I wish. At least that would be interesting. Alexander dumped

Classic Alexander. But hey! You are the Claire Peterson.

laughed. Thanks for the confidence. Really appreciate

shoved her phone into her pocket, determined to get through the day without completely

Later that afternoon, Alexander

in full charm mode, his smile wide as he clapped his hands together. "Claire! How's my favorite stand-in

at the desk and clearly unimpressed, raised an eyebrow. "Your investor better be signing a multi-million-dollar

her sarcasm. "Don't worry. It's

or do you just let them go wild with LED lights and metallic paint?" Alexander leaned over her shoulder, scanning the tablet. "Ooh, I like the glowing

of her hand. "Focus, Alexander. Are you actually checking this, or am I doing your job and

hands in mock surrender.

better," Claire muttered, crossing her arms. "And next time, try not to dump your entire workload on me. I'm not your

grin softened into something almost apologetic. "I know, and I really appreciate you stepping

standing up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have actual

sure," Alexander said, waving her

London, Sandra

glancing at the clock. It was nearly noon, and she had already been through a whirlwind of tasks. Still, one thing nagged at her-Matthew.

voice came through, slightly